Fellowship of the Trade

The environment of an Astromarket is traditionally transactional and contractual, with Tradeslyngs remaining rather tight-lipped about any information that can affect their businesses. Despite this, the Fellowship is highly welcoming of visitors (window-shoppers and buying customers alike), and there is a healthy environment for haggling or striking otherwise unapparent deals. 

"Trade secrets" are plentiful amongst Fellows, both in the literal sense, and in the sense that spinning words the right way or offering certain bargains can net patrons hidden goods, services, connections, tips, and more. Many Star Markets also serve as "informational hubs", not unlike the ISS (plus branch Guilds) and Preservation Points. The openness of a Star Market is dependent upon the Fellows filling it out, with Tradeslyngs that fly solo being even more subjective. Some Starkets are notoriously secretive given their wares, position, and/or clientele.

Many Tradeslyngs will accept Apprentices if shown the right kind of enthusiasm, but will not accept or continue to hone those that disrespect their standards. Sometimes, as an Apprentice grows, who they are and what they want to be changes and no longer harmonizes with their teacher. When parting on good terms, a Grandmaster will very customarily reach out to Fellows that feel may better suit their ex-Apprentice.

Regardless of being an aspiring craftslyng, artistan, or merchant, all Tradeslyngs much adhere to the ranking system. 

• MASTER OF MASTERS: Also called the Jack of All Trades, this rank is for exemplary and experienced Fellows that have mastered multiple crafts and/or run several successful, oft-famed businesses. Jacks may captain their own vessels, with many conceiving and heading their own Star Markets and Flocks. Successful Jacks will make a name for themselves by specializing in certain locations with dedicated customers, focusing on either fully on being planetside or in space; more ambitious types will separate their activities between both. Masters of Masters usually have at least one enduring business in the highly competitive Emporium and a vast connective network, often working with affiliated and non-affiliated (that is, not belowing to the Fellowship) Adventurers and the Fleet. Jacks can still take on Apprentices.

• GRANDMASTER: Also called a Master of One, a Grandmaster is a seasoned Journeylyng that has accrued enough Renown and proficiency to become a self-employed Tradeslyng. This means they can be their own boss, start their own businesses, hire employees (Journeylyngs or otherwise), and take on Apprentices. Not all Journeylyngs that qualify to become Grandmasters actually go on to work independently of another Master of One; a fair share of them are content in their Journeylyng positions. Grandmasters may also purchase a spacecraft in their own name and pilot/seek crew for it, so long as they possess a Pioneer's Permit.

• JOURNEYLYNG: Also called a Master of Some, a Journeylyng is a trained Fellow that has completed their Apprenticeship under a Grandmaster and may now work as full-fledged employees. Journeylyngs will either remain in service to their original Grandmaster or seek to work under another, and may take on another Apprenticeship in their endeavor to become a Master of Masters. It is somewhat more typical for Grandmasters to become begin new Apprenticeships over Journeylyngs, as one cannot become a Master of Masters without first becoming a Grandmaster (and splitting time, effort, and attention between pursuits can be more difficult). 
  
  Many Masters of Some are also simultaneously members of the Wanderers and Fleet aiming to collaborate with Grandmasters. Though some endeavor to be a Grandmaster or higher, a fair share of this group does not view the Fellowship as their primary faction, and simply joined for certifications or mercantile know-how. Additionally, the term "Tradeslyng" typically applies to members of this rank and above, although it can be used to refer to any member of the Guild.

• APPRENTICE: Also called a Master of None, an Apprentice is an amateur Fellow that has earned their Maker's Mark and has been formally accepted into the Fellowship by becoming an Apprentice of a Grandmaster or higher. In other words, a Starlyng can obtain their Maker's Mark and join the Fellowship, but unless they are taken under the wing of a Grandmaster or above, they will not officially rank as Apprentice. This can make achieving just the first rank challenging, although the high demand for piloting crews means that Starlyngs can easily achieve this rank by simply being hired to operate a Grandmaster or higher's vessel. Accepting the role in this manner can gain a Starlyng the connections needed for a genuinely sought-after Apprenticeship.
  
  Though Apprentices are not compensated like Journeylyngs, that are fully supported as needed by their Grandmasters. Apprentices on the brink of accomplishing the Journeylyng rank will often see an increase in Journeylyng treatment by their superiors.